Reviews

Do Not Deny Me by Jean Thompson

smemmott's review against another edition

2.0

I found a few stories worth reading but overall just not for me.

sandeestarlite's review against another edition

3.0

Short stories about generally unhappy people.

wubledoo's review against another edition

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories. The diversity of topics and characters amazed me that this was all one author. So creative!

rmardel's review against another edition

1.0

I just couldn't get involved in this book. I found a few stories I could get through, grudgingly, but most were beyond me. It was not that the writing was bad, it wasn't, but that the stories seemed pointless and the characters meant nothing: conventional, predictable, self-absorbed, flat or without purpose.

hollywfranklin's review against another edition

2.0

I think I have to take a break from short stories. Didn't love this either.

jeanetterenee's review against another edition

3.0

These stories are us. I've never read an author who better captured ordinary 21st century Americans from all angles. When I rate short story collections, I often end up right in the middle at three stars, and that is not an insult to the book. Some great ones, some so-so, that's how it usually goes. The writing is very good in all the stories in this book, but some could use a little more oomph in the subject matter.

My three favorite stories were:

1)"Liberty Tax": This was the best one in the book. I liked the whimsical ending. Their "solution" amused me.

2)"Escape": About a stroke victim whose wife doesn't treat him very well, but there's a surprise twist and the story turns out to be kinda funny.

3)"Do Not Deny Me": New Age weirdo phony psychics.

moreadsbooks's review

4.0

I still have three stories to go, so technically I'm not done, but even if the last three are the worst short stories ever in the history of the world, not even that could sour my four stars. Let me tell you, Jean Thompson has the goods. Within the first paragraph, she sucks you into her characters so tightly you can no longer remember a time when you didn't know these people. And then the story ends & you get bummed, but there's another one right after! I'm not sure how I'll be able to cope once I finish this.

jodiwilldare's review

3.0

When I first discovered The Hold Steady it was love at first listen. They were like nothing I’d ever heard before. I fell hard and fast and there was no looking back. But, sadly, as is often the case of for fickle young girls, the love grew tired. As The Hold Steady and I fell into a meaningful, comfortable relationship I began to grow restless. I missed those first exhilarating months –butterflies in my stomach and a racing pulse. With each record that was release, I began to grow a little resentful. Yeah, sure this is good and all, I thought, but it’s not like that first time.

And while my love for the band hasn’t necessarily abated, it’s just not the same. I’ve come to dub this “The Hold Steady Effect” which is clearly defined as: A phenomenon whereby nothing seems to blow you away quite like the first experience, and while it’s good and all it still makes you long for that first mind-blowing time.

I fear Jean Thompson’s suffering from The Hold Steady Effect (which would be kind of awesome had she mentioned THS in her Largehearted Boy Book notes essay). It’s sad. Her latest short story collection Do Not Deny Me is a good, readable book. Solid writing, decent stories, everything you want. Right?

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ibeforem's review

4.0

I don’t read many short stories, but I thought this collection was really good. I think what is most compelling about it is that each story was something that could happen to you, or to someone you know. There’s nothing extraordinary here, just people dealing with their lives. Funnily enough, the one story I didn’t enjoy was the one that shared the collection title "Do Not Deny Me", which had a psychic bent to it. She even brings things full circle a bit, with the final story showing a different side of a character in one of the first ones. Even if you’re not a short story reader, there’s a lot to like here.